Though this is only November, Christmas is lurking in the air. Have you seen a branch of holly or evergreen standing by a window, or perhaps noticed the odor of cinnamon permeating the atmosphere? I don’t think this is really too premature to turn our thoughts towards our glorious Christmas Season here in Port O’Connor. For example, to get all four senses going, the Port O’Connor Service Club has now solidified plans for their annual Senior* Citizens’ Christmas Luncheon scheduled for Friday, December 7, 2012.
During the first several years of its inception in the 1980’s, the Luncheon had approximately 25 attendees and was held in a small room of our Fire Station. During the following years when that area became much too small, the Luncheon was held in the Parish Halls of the local churches. It was not an amazing or unusual sight to see a pickup truck loaded with a fully decorated tree proceeding to the chosen Church. Schlepping along behind the lead truck were the many cars of the members and their husbands fully laden with mouth-watering dishes of many kinds that contained the meal for the day as they made their way to the decorated Parish Hall. The menu for those early Christmas Luncheons would range from chicken spaghetti to chicken and dumplings with many desserts; and you would be correct if you would assume that there would not be a spoonful remaining.
When the area in the Parish Halls became too small to hold such a special event, and with the advent of the new Community Center, this celebration of our Christmas has now become a monumental annual holiday for many guests during December. And the Luncheon this year will not be amiss in following those earlier.
Scheduled for Friday, December 7th at the Community Center, guests will be welcomed at the entrance beginning at 10:30 a.m. Greeting each arrival will be our very special lady, Agnes Valigura who will urge each guest to stop at the Courtesy Table and sign our Christmas Guest Book and receive a ticket for the drawing of the door prizes. And do not be surprised if you happen to see a snowman nearby with a welcoming arm too!
But, please remember to pause and admire the beautiful Nativity scene designed by our President, Janet Johnson with the help from the many members of artistic talent. This display was created several years ago during many afternoons at Janet’s shop, and upon completion, luckily, Janet was able to encourage a very skilled gentleman to construct the manger for the Creche.
Musical entertainment will be provided by the students at the Elementary School under the direction of Ms. Lydia Strakos, Principal. As these youngsters have been practicing a medley of old and new Christmas music for several months, this will be a treat for us all. There is even a possibility of a sing-a-long of the many traditional Carols with the guests. Last year’s music was exceptional, and the singers were charming, and don’t forget the unusual Santa leading the group of musicians. This year the music will be better than ever.
And following the Blessing from a local minister, the center tables will then be laden with a variety of tempting and delicious foods. Once again Pat Ekstrom and Pat Turk have agreed to assume the leadership of setting the menu and assigning the cooking tasks to the members. Currently, the entrees will consist of hams and beef briskets and they will be accompanied by pans of sweet and mashed potatoes, various vegetables, salads and cranberries. And following the enjoyment of a full plate of those dishes, dessert trays filled with pies, cobblers, and even cherry or chocolate cheese cakes will be offered. However, do not miss Biddie Hileman’s fantabulous coconut cakes as they are not just delicious, but a work of art. Please plan to linger after eating to visit with other guests and enjoy another cup of coffee prior to leaving.
And do wander over and admire the decorations on the trees and tables; the Decorating Committee has really outdone themselves with the placement of Santas and Angels, Teddy Bears (that have been appropriated from several kids’ toy boxes) and a few Snowmen with red birds hanging around. Each year Chairmen Joyce Jordan and Sue Kubecka and their industrious committee seem to have outdone themselves; this year’s decorations are better than ever.
Why do the Club members go to this work and expense each year? The answer is a very simple one; this is our way of thanking the residents of POC for their support of our projects throughout the year. We do have various projects; some big and extensive such as the semi-annual garage and bake sales and then some much smaller such as a Valentine’s Bake Sale. Yet we can always count on the residents and business owners of this community for their assistance and support.
As our event is entitled “The Club’s Christmas Luncheon for the Senior Citizens* of this Community”, we have all been asked to define “Senior Citizen”*. There is really not an actual definition of a certain age or quality; one would guess that it would be someone over 50. However, I would need to take that definition up with our President and other members for a further and more extensive explanation. But, whatever your ‘senior’ age, we look forward to your presence at this Luncheon; in particular, we welcome the owners or representatives of those local businesses who very kindly let us use your walls and other prominent spots to display the Club’s notice of its latest project.
Again this year, there will be meals to go for those unable to physically attend; please contact Pat Ekstrom at 983-2030 with the recipient’s name and address to have the food delivered.
PLEASE DO REMEMBER: if you enjoyed yourself this year or in previous years at the Luncheon, that 2013 will be even better!
In the meantime, the following applies:
“Christmas is a’ comin’; The geese are getting fat;
Please do put a penny in an old man’s hat.
If you ha’nt got a penny; A ha’ penny will do.
If you ha’nt got a ha’ penny, May God Bless You!”
An Old-English Traditional Carol
See you on the 7th of December!
*SENIORS: 50 years of age and plus!
